Studies on the Absorption and Excretion of Streptomycin in Animals

Abstract

Summary and Conclusions

The findings reported in this communication show that streptomycin is rapidly absorbed and excreted following parenteral administration. The rapid disappearance of streptomycin from the blood is largely accounted for by its early appearance in the urine. Approximately 60-80% of the drug is excreted in the urine of dogs within a 24-hour period after parenteral administration. Somewhat smaller amounts were excreted in the urine of monkeys.

When the drug is given perorally relatively small amounts are detected in the blood. This is largely due to the lack of absorption of streptomycin from the gastro-intestinal tract as shown by the large amount of the drug recovered in the feces.

Therapeutic blood concentrations can be maintained by repeated intramuscular injection.

Following intravenous administration of streptomycin, only 5-10% of the dose can be demonstrated in the bile.